Key Highlights
- Jo Whiley said Russell Brand left a handwritten message calling her a “MILF”, which she said still makes her “shudder”.
- Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
- Whiley and Zoe Ball discussed the wider emotional impact of Brand’s conviction on the latest episode of their Dig It podcast.
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault, which some readers may find distressing.
Jo Whiley recalls Russell Brand message after conviction
Jo Whiley said Russell Brand once left her a handwritten message that continues to make her “shudder”. The radio host and television presenter discussed the message with Zoe Ball on the latest episode of their Dig It podcast, during a conversation about Brand’s recent conviction for rape and sexual assault.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to more than a decade in prison on Monday 9 November after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence.
Discussing the verdict, Whiley said Brand’s conviction had “felt seismic”, while Ball said the result had left her feeling “emotional”. “It felt extraordinarily important,” Whiley said.“And there seems to have been since then, this lament from women – I’ve just seen it over and over again and I cried.“It’s for every woman who’s ever been at the hands of somebody who has abused them, whether it’s sexual or otherwise.”
Whiley describes “creepy” message in her show book
Whiley then described a message Brand wrote in her “show book”, a book that guests on her radio programme were invited to sign. She said the message referred to her as a “MILF” and explained that she was now considering removing and burning the page.
“I’ve got a signature from Russell,” Whiley revealed. “And it’s got the word… he just refers to me as a MILF. And I keep looking at my bookshelf, it’s like it’s burning a hole in my bookshelf at the moment, I’m sitting in the living room, like, ‘those words are there’. I’m going to have to tear the page out and burn it, I really am, because it just makes me shudder. It makes me shudder. But that was what you expected, I think, when you met him.”
Listeners praised Whiley for challenging the “creepy” message and for addressing Brand’s conviction on the podcast. Her comments followed public reactions from several high-profile figures, including Kelly Brook, who said friends were among Brand’s victims, and Vanessa Feltz, who recalled a disturbing interaction with him years ago.
Victims’ accounts heard before sentencing
Before Brand was sentenced, the court heard four accounts from his victims. One woman who was sexually assaulted told the court: “There were many times I felt visibly sick at the sight of him parading around think he can get away with anything.”
“Over the years I tried not to think about it and get on with my life – I had a beautiful daughter who helped me to heal and learn to love myself again and to try and be the best mum in the world for her.”
“As they say a leopard may change its spots but at the end of the day it’s still a leopard and not a gazelle.”
Why This Matters
Whiley’s account shows how Brand’s conviction has prompted broader public discussion about past conduct, the experiences of survivors and the lasting impact of sexual abuse. The sentence means Brand will remain in prison for two-thirds of the term before he can be considered for release on licence, while the court accounts have placed victims’ experiences at the centre of coverage of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jo Whiley say about Russell Brand?
Jo Whiley said Brand left a handwritten message in her radio show book referring to her as a “MILF”. She said the message still makes her “shudder”.
What sentence did Russell Brand receive?
Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He will be eligible for release on licence after serving two-thirds of the sentence behind bars.
Where can people affected by rape or sexual assault seek help?
Anyone affected by the issues discussed in this article can contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, which is available 24/7. Anyone in immediate danger or requiring urgent medical attention should call 999.
